Briefing: London's mayoral contest

March 1998 The Government announced plans to set up a Greater London Authority (GLA) with an elected mayor and separately elected assembly to be elected every four years The authority would have a budget of £3.3bn and cost £20m a year (setting up costs also £20m).

March 1998 The Government announced plans to set up a Greater London Authority (GLA) with an elected mayor and separately elected assembly to be elected every four years The authority would have a budget of £3.3bn and cost £20m a year (setting up costs also £20m).

The GLA would comprise of... A Mayor, directly elected, responsible for the budget and policy issues such as strategic planning, regeneration, police, emergency services, transport and promoting London. 25 members who would monitor the mayor's performance. A deputy mayor appointed by the Mayor from among the 25 members of the Assembly.

Tory Troubles The contest to become Conservative candidate for mayor reopened after the resignation of disgraced novelist Lord Archer in November. The party is to hold another contest rather than give the candidacy to runner up, former transport minister and MP for Epping Forest, Steven Norris. Norris, still the favourite, was notorious for a string of affairs and mistresses during his 30-year marriage. He now plans to marry his fourth mistress Emma Courtney. He will run against John Wilkinson MP, businessman Mark Keotecha and former councillor Andrew Boeff after Teresa Gorman's nomination to stand was rejected.

Lamentable Labour Labour is locked in a battle to keep "people's" favourite, left-winger Ken Livingstone from representing it in May. Although the party have pinned their hopes on Frank Dobson opinion polls indicate that Glenda Jackson is the public's second favourite after Ken.

The main contenders: